Fuel line squeegee

ABSTRACT

A device for forcing fluid along a collapsible conduit is described which comprises a yoke including a web and first and second projecting leg members, a first roller supported between the first and second leg members for rotation about a first axis, a block member supporting an axle and a second roller for rotation about a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis, the second leg member and block member each having one or more holes therethrough for receiving bolts connecting the block and second leg member, a spring interconnecting each bolt and the second leg member for resiliently holding the block member and second roller in a substantially parallel juxtaposed position near the second leg member and the first roller, overcenter locking means interconnecting the second leg member and block member for selectively locking the block and second roller into resilient engagement with the second leg member and first roller with a collapsible conduit disposed between the first and second rollers, and a handle connected to the yoke.

RIGHTS OF THE GOVERNMENT

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government of the United States for all governmental purposeswithout the payment of any royalty.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device for forcing fluidalong a flexible conduit, and particularly for forcing fuel along aflexible collapsible fuel line toward the fuel source in order to drainthe line.

In the performance of refueling operations for aircraft or othervehicles at special operations bases, hot refueling of the vehicles mayrequire that excess fuel contained in the fueling line be forced backalong the line to the refueling vehicle or other source. Furthermore, innormal refueling operations substantial fuel savings may be realized byensuring that excess fuel in the fueling line is returned along the lineto the source instead of being spilled or discarded.

The invention provides a device for forcing fluid along a flexiblecollapsible conduit, such as a fuel supply line, which includes a pairof rollers resiliently held by an overcenter locking means around andagainst the collapsible conduit and which may be pulled along theconduit to force fluid along the conduit in the direction along whichthe device is pulled. The device may therefore be used to force excessfuel in a collapsible fuel line back into a refueling vehicle or otherfuel source.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a devicefor forcing fluid along a flexible conduit.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device for forcingfuel along a collapsible fuel line in order to drain the line.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent as thedetailed description of representative embodiments proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the foregoing principles and objects of theinvention, a device for forcing fluid along a flexible collapsibleconduit is described which comprises a yoke including a web and firstand second projecting leg members, a first roller supported between thefirst and second leg members for rotation about a first axis, a blockmember supporting an axle and a second roller for rotation about asecond axis substantially parallel to the first axis, the second legmember and block member each having one or more holes therethrough forreceiving bolts connecting the block and second leg member, a springinterconnecting each bolt and the second leg member for resilientlyholding the block member and second roller in a substantially paralleljuxtaposed position near the second leg member and the first roller,overcenter locking means interconnecting the second leg member and blockmember for selectively locking the block and second roller intoresilient engagement with the second leg member and first roller with acollapsible conduit disposed between the first and second rollers, and ahandle connected to the yoke.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description of representative embodiments thereof read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a representative device of the inventionin the closed position;

FIG. 2 shows the FIG. 1 device in the open position;

FIG. 3 shows the FIG. 1,2 device with handle attached; and

FIG. 4 shows FIG. 1 device attached to a flexible conduit in anoperative position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of arepresentative device 10 of the invention in a closed position, FIG. 2shows device 10 in the open position and FIG. 3 is an overall view ofdevice 10. In a preferred arrangement as shown in the drawings, device10 may comprise yoke 11 including web 13 and a pair of projecting legmembers 15,16. Web 13 includes means for attachment of elongated handle18, which may include a tapped hole for receiving a threaded end ofhandle 18, or flange 19 attached to web 13 by screws 20 and includingtapped hole 21 receiving threaded end 22 of handle 18, or otherarrangement apparent to one skilled in the art guided by theseteachings.

Each leg 15,16 includes on the inwardly facing surfaces thereof bearings24,25 journaled thereinto for rotatably supporting corresponding ends offirst roller 27 along axis 28. One or more holes 29,30 drilled throughleg 16 slideably receive one or more bolts 31,32; coil springs 33,34resiliently hold bolt heads 35,36 of bolts 31,32 in spaced relationshipto top surface 37 of web 13.

Block member 40 supports axle 41 rotatably supporting second roller 42along axis 44. One end 43 of block member 40 includes one or more holes45,46 alignable with holes 29,30 receiving bolts 31,32 holding roller 42in substantially parallel juxtaposed relationship to roller 27, andproviding means for selectively guiding roller 42 into and out ofsubstantial engagement with roller 27 as hereinafter described. In arepresentative device built in demonstration of the invention, rollers27,42 were of cadmium plated steel 2-1/2 inches in diameter by 4 incheslong and were sized to accommodate conduit up to 3 inches in diameter,although materials and dimensions of the device are not consideredlimiting of the invention herein.

End 43 of block member 40 also includes flange 48 for attachment of oneend of overcenter lock 50. Lock 50 includes lever arm 51 attached at oneend to flange 48 as at bolt 53. Crank arm 54 includes at one end thereofa yoke supporting a brass roller 55 (about 0.61" dia×0.25' in thedemonstration unit) secured by bolt 56. Crank arm 54 is configured suchthat roller 55 rides on the bottom surface of leg 16 as lever arm 51 ismanually rotated from the open condition shown in FIG. 2 to the closedcondition shown in FIG. 1. Crank arm 54 is affixed at the other end to apoint along lever arm 51.

Referring now to FIG. 4, shown therein is a perspective view of device10 operatively attached to flexible conduit 61, such as a collapsiblefuel line, fire hose or the like, and being used by operator 63.Attachment of device 10 to conduit 61 is accomplished by openingovercenter lock 50 to the position shown in FIG. 2, inserting conduit 61between rollers 27,42 and closing lever arm 51 to the locked positionshown in FIG. 1 whereby rollers 27,42 are engaged around and againstconduit 61 in the collapsed condition. In closing lever arm 51 to theFIG. 1 position with conduit 61 pressed between rollers 27,42 as shownin FIG. 4, the resiliency of springs 33,34 provide the necessary tensionbetween rollers 27,42 to collapse conduit 61 and to force fluid 65 alongconduit 61 in the direction device 10 is pushed or pulled as suggestedin FIG. 4. Lever arm 51 may be operated by foot or hand depending on thetension in springs 33,34 to be overcome in closing overcenter lock 50.

The invention therefore provides a device for forcing fluid along acollapsible conduit. It is understood that modifications to theinvention may be made as might occur to one skilled in the field of theinvention within the scope of the appended claims. All embodimentscontemplated hereunder which achieve the objects of the invention havetherefore not been shown in complete detail. Other embodiments may bedeveloped without departing from the spirit of the invention or from thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A manually operated device for forcing fluid along aflexible collapsible conduit, comprising:(a) a yoke including a web andfirst and second leg members projecting therefrom; (b) a first rollerdisposed between said first and second leg members and journaled atrespective ends thereof into said first and second leg members forrotation about a first axis defined along said first roller; (c) a blockmember supporting an axle and a second roller for rotation about asecond axis substantially parallel to said first axis; (d) said secondleg member and said block member each having at least one holetherethrough for receiving a corresponding at least one bolt connectingsaid block to said second leg member, and spring means interconnectingeach bolt and second leg member for resiliently holding said blockmember and said second roller in a substantially parallel juxtaposedposition near said second leg member and said first roller; (e)overcenter locking means interconnecting said second leg member and saidblock for selectively locking said second roller into resilient rollingengagement with said first roller with a flexible collapsible conduitdisposed between said first and second rollers; and (f) a handleconnected to said yoke for manually pulling said yoke and rollers insaid resilient rolling engagement along said flexible collapsibleconduit to force fluid through said conduit.
 2. The device of claim 1wherein said overcenter locking means includes a lever arm pivotallyconnected at one end to said block and a crank arm connected at one endto said lever arm and supporting a third roller at the second end, saidthird roller disposed for rolling contact with said second leg member.